Labeling mechanism



Jan. 13, 1942. s. T. CARTER LABELING MEQHANISM' Filed Jan. 19, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet l FIG.4.

. mvpimox ATTORNEYS FIG.I.

Jan. 13, 1942. s. 'r. CARTER LABELING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 19, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet FIG.6.

ATTORNEY Jan. 13, 1942. s. -r. CARTER LABELING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 19, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 6 |5r ..n IIMMTH v L? J a .U i w m w, m w m E 4% H. w j L a m a 7a; a 1 a a Ulla. MCI. l W e a u m n w w ka m m a an FIC5.7.

Arronusva Jan, 13, 1942. TE

LABELING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 19, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Ell.

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I INVE-NTOR, Co r'lr w r M M/ w ATTORNEYS Jan-13,1942. s, CARTER 2,269,870

LABELING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 19, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 V mvsmon. Jza ne 7601-! er ATTORNEY 8 Jan. 13, 1942. s. T. CARTER 2,259,870

LABELING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 19, 1940 6 Shets-Sheet 6 I I I INVENTbR. zdne Car/er' ATTORNEYS a remainder of the inner surface Patented Jan. 13, 1942 UNITED STATES, PATENT OFFlCE LABELING MECHANISM Sidney 'r. carter, New K ensington, Pa., assignor to Schcnley Distillers Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application January 19, 1940, Serial No 314,595

Claims.

vide means for applying glue or other adhesive to substantially the entire label, so as to apply said adhesive to parts of the label which are not supplied with adhesive by the present conventional type of equipment.

Another object of the invention is to connect the edges of a pack of labels by relatively weak means and then separate the labels from said pack, one by one, and to apply the separated labels to the bottle or other container. Said connecting means may be adhesive, but other means can be used. i

Another object of the invention is to provide an attachment or part of a labeling machine which machine may be otherwise of conventional construction. Without limiting the invention to any conventional labeling machine, my inventlon can be utilized in connection with the type of labeling machine which is shown in U. S. Patents No. 1,622,381,and No. 1,901,101. 1 Another object of theinvention is to provide amechanism which will eliminate the use of prongs for supporting the labels in the label box.

Other objects of the invention will be stated .in the following description and drawings which so illustrate preferred embodiments thereof.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a holder in which the labels of a pack are connectedto-each other at the edges of said labels, prior ,to using the labels inthe labeling machine.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the prepared pack of labels, detached from the holder which is shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an elevation which shows how a label has been applied to a bottle. or other container, according to the invention. The areas indicated.

in broken lines are free from adhesive and the part of the holder which is used for holding the and the picker mechanism for removing the labels from the holder, one by one.

Fig. 7 is a plan view, partially in section, on

1 the line of Fig.6.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view on the line 9-9 of F18. 6

- the fingers which releasably support the pack of apply glue to all parts of the contact with the bottom label of the pack.

of the label is pack of labels in the labeling machine. Fig. 4

also shows certain associated parts. i v

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail elevation, partially in section. 'showing the plunger for maintaining the pack of labels under pressure, in the labeling machine. a

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail side elevationshowing theholder for the pack of labels, the essential mechanism associated with said holder.

spoils the appearance of the package.

labels at the bottom thereof. It also shows the essential mechanism which is associated with said fingers.

Fig. 12 is a plan view, partially in section, on the line l2-l2 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 13 is a view generally similar to Fig. 6, showing a modification of the invention.

Fig.- 14 is an elevation taken on the line I l-l4 of Fig. 13.

The conventional labeling machine does not label. The ordinary labeling machine fails to apply adhesive to approximately seven spaced areas of the label. Due to the construction of theconventional label box and the construction of the conventional pickers, it is necessary to supply the label box with supporting prongs which have hook-points. Since these points extend under the bottom of the label pack, it is necessary to cut corresponding slots in the pickers, in order to provide proper clearance and in order to enable the pickers to the pickers transfer glue from the faces of said pickers to the label by contact, the labelonly receives glue on that area which corresponds to v the unslotted faces of the ickers. 1

The presence of these numerous unglued areas! on the label is objectionable in certain types of bottles. zontal areason the vertical edges of the label, in those bottles where the label is applied to acurved surface. -Any section of the. label which is not fastened to the bottle by glue will stretch and causes. bulge when midity in the air. These nounced on those labels which are applied to curved bottles. The bulge is always parallel to the unglued area. If the section of the label which has the unglued area is fastened to the curved face of the bottle, the resultant double curve of the label is very pronounced and this It is not Fig: 10 is an end view on the line iii-l0 of Since I This applies particularly to the horithe label absorbs moisture by a change in temperature or relative hubulges are very pro- 1 so important to apply glue continuously at the top and the bottom of the label, because, as a rule, that part of the bottle is planar. Even if this part of the bottle is slightly curved, the presence of unglude areas at the top and bottom of the label are not substantially objectionable.

According to my invention, I eliminate the horizontal unglued areas at or adjacent the vertical edges of the label.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, prior to using the labels in the labeling machine, said labels are prepared in stacks or packs, each of which can contain any suitable number of labels, such as one thousand. The holder which is shown in Fig. 1 has a rigid wall I which may be made of metal or other suitable material. A plate 2 is fixed to this wall i A follower plate 3, which can be made of cardboard or other suitable'material, is located at the top of the stack of labels. The labels rest upon a bottom plate 5, which is fixed to the wall l.

Spaced and rigid rods 4 are connected to the plates 2 and 5. The positions of these rods 3 correspond to the prongs of the label box so that said rods will indicate the proper position for applying thin vertical layers of glue G to the edges of the labels. The bottom plate 5 is provided with a pair of opposed slots 6, one of which is shown in Fig. 1. A cardboard sheet can be located between the bottom of the pack of labels and the supporting plate 5. Pressure can be applied to the pack of labels, by means of the thumb screw 1, which passes through a tapped opening in the flxedplate 2. Narrow stripes of glue or other adhesive G are thus applied to three of the faces of the stack of labels. The labels which are located in this gluing box are preferably located upside down.

After the glue has dried and set, the pack of labels can be removed from the holder and the cardboard sheets at the top and bottom of the pack of labels can be easily cut away. The thin stripes of glue can be applied along the sides of the pack of labels, while the pack is held under pressure by the thumb-screw 1.

If desired, drops of the glue can be applied at the top of the pack, at the points correspond ing to the vertical stripes G,after pressure has been applied upon the top cardboard sheet 3. by means of the thumb-screw l. The glue can then run down by gravity along the three sides of the pack of labels. The pack of labels is hel vertical while the liquid glue is applied, and until the liquid glue has set, so that each label is in a horizontal plane during the operation. This controls the thickness of the stripes of glue, and it permits the operator to apply the stripes of glue G to the three sides of the pack of labels before the glue dries. If a heavy coating of glue is required, a heavy-bodied glue is used, and vice versa. 7

The adhesion between the individualv labels and the adhesive which is applied to the pickers. i sufficiently great to enable the labels to be separated, one by one, from this pre-glued pack.

The pickers are introduced at the bottom of the pack of labels, at the vertical wall of the pack which is free from the stripes of adhesive. As each label is removed from the pickers, the

adhesive of the stripes G rolls up at two of the sides of the pack of labels. At the other side or upstandingwall of the pack of labels, the stripes of adhesive hang below the bottom wall of the pack of labels. In the labeling machine, the longitudinal axis of the pack of labels is held at an angle of about 65 to the vertical axis, so that the bottom flat label makes an angle of with the horizontal plane. This gives clearance so that the strips of glue at the rear wall of the pack of labels can hang down. free from the mechanism.

As a pack of labels which has thus been prepared is used, an additional pack or packs are added to the top of the pack which is being used. The additional pack or packs can be connected to each other, by means of a quick-drying glue. This permits continuous operation of the machine.

I can use any type of liquid book-binding glue, but I prefer to use a flexible adhesive, such as latex or the like. I prefer to use a flexible adhesive, in order to allow the pack of labels to move freely and also to allow for variations. because brittle glue has a tendency to crack and to allow the labels to separate. Since the glue or adhesive is applied at three sides of the pack lid till

of labels while said labels are pressed together under substantial pressure, the glue or adhesive adheres only to the edges of the pack of labels. As the labels are picked one by one from the pack, there are no marks on the label which can be noticed on the bottle or container.

The adhesive which is thus applied to three sides or walls of the pack of labels, only acts to maintain the pack as a unit, so that the pack canbe suitably controlled in the label box. When the pickers open, any slight variation in the glue on the surfaces of the pickers which are removing the bottom label would cause the bottom label to slip to one side with one of the pickers. By connecting the pack of labels so as to form a single unit, each label is automatically held in position until the pickers pull the bottom or end label away from the pack.

As shown in Fig. 2, each label L may be provided with a tab T at one face thereof.

Referring to Fig. 7, the label holder in the machine, to which the pack of labels is transferred, comprises spaced bars 8, 8a, 8b and 8c. The bars 8 are connected to a supporting bar 9. This supporting bar 9 has a hub l0 which is provided with an interior thread. The hub H) is a split hub and it is tightened by the screw l2, so that the interior thread of the hub I0 engages with the corresponding outer-thread of the adjusting member I I. The bars 81) are connected to a second supporting bar l4, whose hub l5 and screw l6 correspond to the hub l0 and the screw I2.

The interior threads of the hubs I0 and I5 are respectively left-hand and right-hand, and the corresponding threads of the member I i are also left-hand and right-hand.

Hence, when the adjusting member H is turned, the'hubs In and I5 are moved towards each other or away from each other.

The adjusting shaft II is journalled in bearings l1 and [B which are respectively integral with arms 19 and 20. A collar 2| is suitably clamped or connected to the member II at one side of the bearing IT. A hub 22 of a knurled head 23 is also clamped or connected to the member II. The member H is thus prevented from shifting longitudinally relative to the bearings I1 and I8.

The arm I9 is integral with a hub 24 which is adjustably clamped to a rod 26 by means of a set screw 25.

The-arm 29 also has an integral hub 2'l'which is .adjustably clamped by means of a set screw 28 to the rod 29. The rods 28 and 29 respectively pass through the hubs 24 and 21.

The rods 26 and 29 are connected in the same manner to the frame F of the machine.

As shown in Fig. 6, one end of the rod 29 is held in the bore of a casting 30, which has an angular shape. The frame F has an arm 3|.

The casting 30 is integral with 'a hub 32. A rod 33 passes through said hub 32. Said rod 33 is integral with the frame F, or it is suitably connected to the frame F. The hub 32 can be adjusted on the rod 33, by means of the adjusting screw 34, whose tip abuts the member 3|. A

lock-nut-35 maintains the hub 32 in the desired adjusted position.

The arms 80 are connected to a supporting I I 3 The laterally separated pickers are then moved in unison away from the pack while said pickers partially contact with the bottom label, so as to withdraw the bottom label. While the pickers are-thus maintained laterally separated, they are moved in unison towards the bottle or other container, in order to apply the label to the bottle or container. .Adhesive is applied to thetransfer or operating faces of the picker while they abut each other and before the pickers are placed against the bottom label of the pack.

Fig. shows the pickers 89 and 60a when they I are separated laterally from each other. The

arm 35 which ha integral hubs 31 and 3B. The

rods 25 and 29 pass respectively through said hubs 31 and 38. Set screws 39 and 40 respectively clamp the hubs 31 and 39, in suitable adjusted position, to the respective rods 26 and 29.

I The rod 8a is connected to-a supporting arm 4| which is connected by a pivot pin 42 to a col-.

lar 43 which is held adjustably on the rod 29.

Plate 46 has an arm I45 andplate 49 has an arm 49. The arm l46 is integral with a bearing 50.

A pivot pin 5| is located in the bearing 59 and in the bore of the arm 49. I

As shown in Fig. 7, this pin 5| is supported in bearings 52 of the pivoted arm 4 I.

One end of the helical compression spring 53 abuts the upper end of the finger 44. The other end of said spring 53 abuts the rod 4|, as shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 12. 1

Referring to Fig. 11, one end of the arm I45 abuts the nose 54 of a collar 55 which is mounted turnably ontherod 29. The arm I43 has a pin 50 turnably upon a rod or shaft 62.

full-line position of the pickers which is shown in Fig. 6, shows the pickers spaced from the pack of labels. of the pickers shows them contacting with the bottom label of the pack. The lower or righthand broken-line position of the pickers. shows them applying thelabel to the bottle B.

The pickers 60 and 390, are respectively nected to arms Bland Iila. v

As shown in'Fig. 6, the arm BIa is mounted Fig. 6 shows the rolls 63 and 64 by means-of which adhesive is applied to the full transfer faces of the pickers.

- The transfer roll 54 is connected to the, arm 35.

56 which is connected by means of a tension o spring 51, to the pin 58 of the nose 54. One end of a hook-shaped rod 59 is connected to the collar 55. At the proper time, the rod 59 is moved by one 'of the pickers, so as to turn the hub on the rod 29, thus raising the nose 54. e

As shown in Fig. 7, the arm I46 is inclined to the rod 29. and said arm is offset relative to. arm

,4|. Thereforefl when the. free end of the arm I49 is raised by the nose 54, the finger 441s 5 tumed'relative to the axis of the pivot pin 5|,

thus releasing the bottom of th stack of labels. The spring 53a corresponds to the spring 53, the arm I49a corresponds to the arm I 46, etc. The mechanism for operating the pickers is old and well-known per se, so that these parts are not illustrated in the drawings.

Generally speaking, there ar two pickers which substantially abut each other when said pickers 'are applied to the bottom label of the stack. The pickers are moved laterally away from each'other before they are moved away from the pack and while said pickers remain in sliding contact with the bottom label of the pack.

'- .with notches 98a. The fingers located in said notches when the pickers are bottcm'i label of the which is connected to the shaft 56 in the usual manner. v

The 'mechanism for applying glue or other adhesive to the pickers is, wholly conventional. As 'the pickers are swung upwardly towards the pack of labels, the roll 64 is actuated so as to 7 apply the adhesiveover the entire transfer surfaces of the'pickers. The pickerv 5001. has .an extension 61 which corresponds to the tab-T of the label. The adhesive-receiving faces of the pickers are raised above .the other parts of said pickers, in order to limit the application of the adhesive. This is also conventional. I

Referring to Fig. 9,,when the pickers contact with the bottom label, said pickers abut each other at their adjacent edges, so that the pickers pass between the hook ends of the members 59 and 59a, without actuating said members 59 and 59a. After the pickers contact with the bottom label of the stack, saidpickers are moved laterally away from each members 59 and 590. from the full-line-positions which are shown in Fig. 9, to the broken-line positions shown in Fig. 9. The collars 55 and 55a are thus turned, thus moving the fingers 44 and 44a away from their operative positions, so that said fingers and 44a wholly release the pack of labels, which then rests upon the faces of the pickers to which the adhesive has been away from each other, their adhesive is'distributed evenly over the entireface of the bottom label, save for the small areas of the bottom label which contacted with the fingers 44' and 44a. As shown in Fig. 10, the picker is provided with notches 68, and the picker a. is provided 44 and 44a are.

moved to make their initial contact with the stack. The notches are then arranged in pairs, each notchIiIi being associated with a notch 68a.

When the label is applied to the some or other by the pickers, the pickers are held containerand a stripper finger 89 is then moved stationary, between the laterally The upper broken-line position other, thus movingthe separated pickers'so as to strip the label from the pickers, when the pickers are moved away from-the bottle. The stripper finger 69 is pivotally connected at in the usual manner, to the usual arm H.

Referring to Fig. 3, the areas 12 and 12a correspond to the pairs of notches 68 and 68a which receive the fingers 44 and 440.

Therefore, the label does not have any adhesive at the areas 12 and 12a, but adhesive is fully applied to the vertical'edges' of the label,

and to the remainder of the area of the label.

Referring to Fig. 4, the follower plate 73 is pivotally connected to the rod 14, which reciprocates in a guide bore of the plate 15, which is connected to the frame F.

As shown in Fig. 5, the upper end of the rod M is threaded to a. sup-shaped bushing 16. A compression spring 11 is located in said bushing 75. The upper end of the spring 'I'l abuts the head 18 of a pin 19 which extends through a guide bore in the end wall of the bushing 16.

A plate 80 is slidably mounted ona rod 8|, which is connected to the plate 15. The rod 8! preferably has a square or other non-circular cross-section. The plate 80 is provided with a bore 82 which has the same cross-section as the rod 8i The axis of the bore 82 is inclined to the longitudinal axis of the rod 8!.

The tilting of the plate 80 relative to the rod BI is thus limited. As the labels are removed one by one, the weight of the plate 80 causes the same to tilt and to slide downwardly on rod 8!, as

shown in broken lines in Fig. 4, so that the plate 8U always exerts pressure against the pin19, and through the compression spring l1, against the rod Hi.

Means are provided for holding the pack of labels at the upstanding walls of said pack, when the fingers M and Ma are moved so as to release the pack.

As shown in Fig. 8, a cam 83 is mounted for limited turning movement on the rod 26. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the hub of'this cam 83 has a radial projection 84, to which a pull rod 85 is pivotally connected.

When the fingers 44 and 44a are moved to the release position, the rod 85 is automatically pulled so as to turn the cam 83. This cam 83 operates in combination with the usual cam roll 86, which is pivoted in a bearing of the arm 4 l.

Therefore, as the fingers 44 and 44a. release the pack of labels, the arm 4| is automatically turned on its pivot 42, in order to press the bar 80. against the corresponding upstanding wall of the pack of labels, so that the pack of labels is clamped between the bar 811 and the opposite bars to.

One end of a tension spring 81 is connected to the pin 88 of a collar 89, which is adjustably clamped to the rod 26 by means of a set screw 90. The other end of the spring 8'! is connected to the bearing of the shaft of the cam roll 86,-

so that the cam roll 86 is maintained continuously in contact with the cam surface of the cam 83. i

In the second embodiment which is shown in Figs.12-14, and as shown in Fig. 14, the picker .60 has anextension 92a in which an angular rod am is rigidly held. The arm of the picker a has an extension 92, in which an angular rod 9| is rigidly held. V

As shown in Fig. 12, rods 93 and.93a.are respectively clamped to the fingers 44 and 44a.

Control rods 94 and 940 are respectively adjustably clamped in bores of the rods 93 and 93a, by means of set screws 95 and 95a.

free from any marks.

under the impact of the These control rods 94 and 340. have the bent or angular shape which is shown in Fig, 13.

When the pickers move into contact with the bottom label of the pack, and before the abutting pickers are laterally separated, the members 9| and am will respectively contact with the members 94 and 94a, thus releasing the fingers 44 and 44a, so that the pickers contact fully with the entire face of the bottom label. According to the second embodiment, the adhesive is therefore applied over the entire face of the label, including the areas 12 and 12a. In the second embodiment it is therefore unnecessary to provide slots or notches in the pickers, for accommodating the fingers 44 and 44a.

In the first embodiment, arm 4| is operated to clamp the stack of labels at two opposed upstanding walls, just as the pickers are moved laterally apart. The pull-rod B5 is connected to the same mechanism which moves the pickers laterally away from each other.

In the second embodiment, the picker-operating mechanism operates pull-rod B5 in order to clamp the stack of labels as the pickers move the fingers 44 and Ma to their inoperative position. In each embodiment, the bottom label of the stack is always allowed ,to move to the same predetermined inclined plane, so that the pickers always contact with a bottom label which is in said predetermined position.

The fingers 44 and Ma, when they return to operative position, always support the pack of labels with its bottom label in predetermined position, even though the height of the pack decreases.

The mechanisrn.for operating the pickers is well-known and conventional per se.

The adhesive which I prefer to use, because of its flexibility, is latex or a latex composition, such as National adhesive No. 9005A. This latex or latex composition may be or may not be prevulcanized. It is used in the form of a thick liquid, which dries at ordinary temperature of about F. When it dries, it forms a very thin and flexible film, which can be stripped if desired, from the pack of labels, thus leaving the labels in their original unconnected condition. This type of adhesive will not disintegrate pickers.

The drawings show. my invention applied to a well known commercial type of labeling machine, which is known as the Economic ftype.

For example, the invention shows numerous available sub-combinations which need not be operative per se and which can be used in connection with various types of machines.

tion by means of the spring 81.

I have shown preferred embodiments of my invention but it is clear that numerous changes and omissions can be made without departing from its spirit.

I claim:

1. In a labeling machine, a chute adapted to hold a stack of labels, movable holding fingers associated with said chute and adapted to support the stack of labels at the bottom of said Said holding means are normally biased to inoperative posistack when said holding fingers are in operative thereof, second mo able holding means adapted ative position in which they release the stack, a picker means movable towards the bottom label ward said chute to ntact with the bottom ment of said picker means towards said bottom i m v d laterally away from a hth r, picker means movable towards the bottom label adapted to slidably hold a stack of labels which control means adapted to move the first holding tlve, p si ion, the secondfhol m means being the stack fixed relative to the chute, control position, said fingers being movable to an ino'perto grip the stack above the-bottom label thereof,

pair of pickers, means adapted to supply adhesive of the stack and away from said bottom label, to the transfer faces of the pickers, said pickers 5 control means adapted to move the first holding being laterally movable towards each other and. means into inoperative position and wholly spaced away from each other and being also movable in from said" bottom label and adapted to substanunison towards said chute and away from said tially simultaneously move the second holding chute, means adapted to move said pickers tomeans into operative position during the movelabel of the stack while the pickers are in prel l l, said control m ns being adapted t aindetermined lateral relation and then to move the will Sa fi o d me s in S d op rative pickers laterally away from each other while th position when the picker means contact with said pickers slidably contact with the bottom label of bottom label. 1

the stack and then to move the laterally separated l5 4. In a labeling machine, a chute adapted to pickers away from the chute with the bottom hold'a stack of labels, first movable holding means label of the stack adhering to said transfer faces, a apted to support said stack at the bottom control means adapted to move said holding finthereof, second movable holding means adapted gers to inoperative position when the pickers are to grip the stack above the bottom label thereof, 7

2. In a labeling'machlne, a chute which is of he stackand away/from said bottom label.

are detachably connected to each other, first movmeans into inoperative position and wholly spaced able holding means adapted to support the stack fr m aid b ttom label and adapted to substan of labels in said chute at the bottom of said stack y i a eously move the second holdin when said holding means are in operative posimeans into, operative position during the movetion, said holding means being movable to.inopment of said picker means towards said bottom erative position in which the stack is released, label. S d ontrol-means being adapted to mainsecond movable holding means adapted to latertam a d first in means n Said i p rative ally clamp thestack of labels above the bottom so position w t pic r means contact with said of said stack so as to hold the stack in fixed relabottom label, d P means being PCd 0 tion to the chute whensaid second holding means pp y dhe ive to substantially the entire exposed are in operative position, picker means movable. face f d bottom label.

towards said chute and away from said chute, In a l n m i a h e p ed to means adapted to supply adhesive to said picker 5 hold a stack of labels which are detachably conmeans, said picker means being adapted to connected to each h r, pi ker means movabletotact with and to remove the bottom label or said wards said bo m label of sa d stack d aw y stack against the force of said label-molding herefrom, said picker means being shaped to meansmontrol means adapted to move the first pp adhesive continuously o t e bottom label holding means to inoperative position while the 40 mm'muously along O opp s d edges of said pickermeans are in position to support the stack bottom label, said opposed edges being the verof labels and to move the second holding means 7 ical edges of said label when said label is app to operative clamping position ,while the fi t, to a container, movable holding means adapted holding means are in inoperative position, the to laterally clamp the stack of labels at the other first holding means being biased to normal operaopposed edges of said bottom label so as to hold movable to an inoperative position and being means adapted to move said holding means to biasedto normal inoperative position. inoperative position, and wholly spaced from the 3. In a labeling machine, a chute, adapted to stack of labels,while the picker means contact hold a stack of labels. first movable holding means with the bottom label.

adapted tov support said stack at the bottom SIDNEY T. CARTER. 

